Disclaimer: I own a small portion of my unused brain but I know for a fact that I do not own Numb3rs.

Charlie was moved to one of the lower floors to be monitored until he was released. He had woken up a few more times since being in ICU but he didn't stay awake long and could barely hold a conversation.

Don had just returned from his brothers home with a bag full of "Get Well Soon" notes and gifts. Since he could decorate this room Don decided to try and brighten his brother's atmosphere with some encouragement. His mind was full of happy encouraging thoughts about his brother's recovery but his mood seemed to be lowered greatly when he entered the elevator.

A woman was standing in the corner with a double stroller. Her eyes were red and she was pale. Her hair was in tangles but she didn't seem to care.

"Stephanie?" Don spoke up.

"Don?"

"What are you doing here?" he asked lightly but then realized that this wasn't a friendly meeting. "What happened?"

"It's Tim," she choked out.

Don's heart dropped. Even though he didn't know this family for long he felt a special bond toward them because they were there for him when he needed someone. They cared about him, a complete stranger, so soon after their own mother had died.

Don wished he could be that selfless.

Her face broke into tears and her young children looked at her as if scared for her.

"Shh, Stephanie," Don said moving foreword and gently holding her. She didn't resist his comforting gesture, if anything she relaxed into him. "Tell me what happened."

"I went to the house today looking for him… no one seemed to be home," she sobbed into his chest. "My father's car was gone but it didn't feel right…so I went looking around the house and I found him…he was tied up in the closet. It seemed like he'd been in there for almost a week…he didn't have any food or water…he was beaten…"

"Oh god…"

"He wasn't moving and…he was so cold…he was barely there at all…It's my fault! I let that monster take him again!" Her voice was full of rage as she slowly pulled away from Don's caring arms.

"Was he arrested?" he asked.

"No," she spat. "He ran…again."

She tried to compose herself but failed and flung herself in Don's arms again sobbing.

"Oh god…how could I just let this happen? Oh god…"

"It's alright Stephanie," Don said rubbing her back gently. "It'll be alright…I promise…"

Don wasn't sure how he could promise such a thing to this desperate young woman, but he'd do whatever it took to make things right.

Don stayed with her as she visited her brother who was in the ICU. He was suffering from major dehydration and malnutrition, cracked and broken ribs, a broken arm and collarbone, some internal bleeding, and a minor concussion.

The doctors thought that he'd been beaten by a bat or something similar, but said that'd he'd recover given time.

Don knew that his father would be wondering where he was but he couldn't leave Stephanie.

She had no one now but he children and her brother. She couldn't bring Julian and Tristin into the ICU so she left them with Don in the waiting room. Like with Don, even though she didn't know for that she felt safe with him. She trusted him…

Both the children were sleeping again and Don considered taking them down with him to visit Charlie, but knew he couldn't just leave. So he waited and tried to be patient while she sat with her brother.

She told him about how her friend Carmen wouldn't let her stay in her apartment anymore. Said she was afraid that Danny would come looking for Stephanie and she'd some how get involved.

Steph had been living out of her car for the past two nights and barely had enough money to feed her kids let alone herself.

Don was beyond belief that someone's friend would do that. How could anyone do that? She was about to deliver twins and had two small children already. She was unemployed and her abusive boyfriend and father were after her. Her most prized possession was her beat up car, which looked like it was about to die.

How could anyone do that especially to a sweet-hearted girl like Stephanie? How could her only friend do that?

Don was sitting in the waiting room with his head in his hands listening to the dull sound of the television. They were talking about the importance of the automobile in today's society. Don almost laughed at the irony of it but because of recent events found he could not.

He felt someone looming over him and looked up to see Stephanie.

"Hey," he said quietly straightening in his chair. "How is he?"

"He'll live," she muttered sitting down heavily. She sighed. "You should get back to your family. They must be wondering where you are."

"I think they'll understand but just in case they're worrying can I go and tell them what's happening?"

"You don't need to ask. You're an adult."

"I know but I didn't just want to take off on you…"

"It's fine…you know where I'll be."

He got up to go into the elevator with his bag full of "Get Well Soon" gifts for Charlie, but turned around halfway out the door.

"You're not allergic to anything are you?"

"No, why?"

"No reason…I'll be right back."

And with that he left to see his brother.

When Don entered the room he heard a television quietly going. The news was on again but they had a different story on now.

"Hey, Dad," he said as he entered the room. His father turned around in his chair.

"Donnie, there you are! I was about to send a search party out for you. Where'd you go?"

"Do you remember me telling you about that girl I helped in the parking lot awhile back?"

"The girl with all the kids?" he asked. Don nodded. "Yea."

"I met her in the elevator," he sighed.

"What happened?" he asked noticing his son's face.

"Her brother is up in ICU now."

"What? Why?"

"His father beat him and left him to die. If his sister hadn't had went over to check on him…" he shook his head.

"The father did that?"

"Yea and she's living out of her car with her two going on four kids."

Alan moved his head slowly from side to side. "That shouldn't be. From what you've told me she's a nice girl. Why does it always happen to the good ones?"

"It doesn't always happen to the good people it's just you notice it when it does. I just wish I could help them…"

He sighed and looked at his brother.

He looked better. He had color in his cheeks now.

"How is he?" he asked opening the bag and starting to set the cards and gifts on the small tables in the room and on the bulletin boards on the wall.

"He's doing better," Alan said with a smile. "Last time he was up he asked for you. I just told him you were bringing him presents and then he fell back to sleep." He chuckled. "He liked the idea of getting presents though."

"That's Charlie for you. Do you want anything out of the cafeteria? I was thinking of going down to get something."

"No, thanks," Alan said. "I just ate actually. They have a special on hamburgers and fries today. It's quite good actually."

"Thanks, Dad. I might just get that." Don got up to leave. "Would you or Charlie mind if I went upstairs to help out Stephanie? She's really distraught. She thinks it her fault…"

"We understand," Alan cut his son off. "Don't worry Charlie and I aren't going anywhere. Help her…she helped you…"

"Thanks Dad." He gave his father a hug and wandered down to the cafeteria for lunch.

"Hear anything?" Don asked entering the ICU waiting room holding two white Styrofoam containers and a paper bag.

"They might move him to another floor tomorrow," Stephanie said taking the empty bottle out of Julian's mouth.

"That's good," Do said placing one of the containers on the wooden coffee table in front of her with a bottle of Pepsi. "It means he's getting better."

"What's that?" she asked pointing to the container in front of her.

"Lunch," Don said opening his own food.

"You didn't have to do that," she said quietly putting her son back into the stroller.

"I know, but I wanted to."

"Thanks." She twisted the cap off her soda and took a large gulp. "Does your father mind you not being with your family?" She asked opening the container and taking a large bite of the burger.

"No," Don said starting his own food. "If anything he encouraged it. I think he likes being alone with Charlie. Gives him time to think."

There was silence for a few minutes as Stephanie and Don ate. You could tell she hadn't had a good meal in awhile. She practically devoured her food in less than five minutes. Don couldn't understand how she could live like that but he didn't want to bring up any subjects that might offend her. So he kept his mouth shut.

But he knew he couldn't for long because he had an idea.

"I was thinking…" he started slowly setting down his food and keeping his eyes down. "If you need a place to stay…well, I'm almost never at my apartment and it's two bedrooms but I only use one and its clean and in a nice part of LA and there's an elevator so if you still need a place when Tim's released and…"

He caught himself babbling and waited for a response but got none. "Look I know I haven't known you for long and I don't know much about you but I was just thinking and…" He looked up and stopped as he saw her face.

She was staring at him with tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I was just trying to help you out and…"

"Thank you…" she said quietly grabbing him in a hug. She started sobbing. "That would be really nice… thank you…"

The few weeks' events finally had caught up on her. Her mother's death, her father's blame, her boyfriend's abuse, her best friend's abandonment, and her brother's near death…the events went on and on.

He held onto her knowing that she need him as a lifeline.

Knowing that she needed him to keep her grounded.

Knowing that she just needed him…

He held her and rocked her gently knowing that he had just saved her like she saved him.

A/N: Ok…how did you guys like the return of Stephanie and Tim with little Tristin and Julian! Just when you thought the angst might be over I bring this up! ;-)

I do not plan on making this Stephanie/Don by the way but if a lot of people suggest it I just might comply. I was thinking about it but I was afraid of people's reactions. You see I like to write slight romance. So I might just hint it instead of outright saying it but tell me!Oh and if you want more Charlie angst i have another medically correct idea if you'd likeme to use it. TELL ME!'Kay?

I just got back from a GC concert in New Jersey not even an hour ago . They had awesome warm up bands (I got one band to sign my shoes and their CD!) and I kidnapped my best friend from school and we drove to this casino and spent the night. Her mom and my mom went gambling and we went to the concert! I banged my head to all the loud songs and now my neck is swollen (no joke) and I'm in pain but I decided to type up the ending to chapt 8 anyway. How awesome am I?

The book I'm reading about the atomic attacks and radiation is called "In Place of Folly" by Norman Cousins. I find it interesting but the writing could've been done better.

So tell me what you want for next time. 'Kay? Oh and if you like Charlie angst turn to my new story "Not Another Teen Prank", lots of Charlie angst to come!

Thankies!

TheDudeLordOfFantasy a.k.a. Kathleen